Mining industry stakeholders know that the industry must become more productive and efficient if it is to remain competitive and achieve the returns on investment required by shareholders.

Local management consultancy Vuuma Collaborations has been researching other complex industries that have successfully undergone transformations. Through this research, they have identified that an integrated approach often labelled ‘systems thinking’ is not well developed in the mining industry.

Vuuma believes that a systems thinking approach not only integrates the complete mining value chain, from exploration through to mining and processing execution activities, but also incorporates work management and integrated operational planning processes along with the organisational structure, roles, behaviours and data management routines required to significantly improve effective tactical and strategic decision-making.

It is for these reasons that the company launched its SiMINE mining simulation offering in South Africa at the Riversands Incubation Hub, in Midrand, earlier this month.

SiMINE is an interactive, experiential mining and processing game that creates a “true to life” experience of the financial, physical and interpersonal dynamics in managing a complex mining value chain.

Vuuma codirector Gary Lane explained during the launch that SiMINE, developed by the company’s affiliate, Evolve Global, provided a systems-thinking approach for mining through modern game technology to drive the necessary understanding of the “dynamic complexities” associated with managing a mining value chain.

About 30 people from across the mining industry, including mining executives, managers, analysts, as well as equipment, software and service providers, and a representative from Mining Weekly, played SiMINE.

Participants in the game were divided into ‘departments’ (groups) and were assigned various functional roles, such as department heads and a GM. Their mission was to ensure that their simulated mining company achieved its production efficiently and profitably.

The game has been designed and crafted to simulate raw materials extraction, transport, material processing, inventory management, product assembly, order fulfilment, distribution to customers and supporting functions.

After each round, a performance review was undertaken, followed by discussions among the groups about the ways in which the mining company could be improved. These discussions focused on capital and operating initiatives required to improve efficiencies and throughput for the mine.

At the end of the session, participants provided feedback, assessed their performance and reflected on whether they had selected and implemented the right cost-effective initiatives to improve efficiency and overcome the mine’s operational constraints.

Vuuma codirector and event facilitator Harry Sinko told Mining Weekly that the game was currently being enhanced to include integrated planning, which would incorporate planning, work scheduling and work execution elements of mining, with a focus on behaviours and management routines required to gain maximum benefit.

“We intend to further refine SiMINE to ensure it becomes a ‘systems thinking’, ‘mine of the future’ programme, which will serve as a prototype and development arena, testing future organisation design, roles, operating models, business processes, work management, systems, data and decision-making,” he said.

Sinko contended that this would allow for experimentation, validation, training and development aimed at equipping participants with the “critical mindset”, leadership, tools and techniques to lead systems thinking change in their organisations.

In 2017, the company plans similar workshop events in South Africa and globally. with Canada, Australia and South America being prime targets.